Lac La Biche Area Update

Wildfire season is here and we ask that everyone revisit their burn site to ensure their winter burning project is properly extinguished. 

Due to dry conditions we are asking everyone to use extreme caution when recreating in the forest area. 

If you see smoke or flame in the forest please call 310-FIRE (3473). 

FIRE ADVISORY STILL IN EFFECT 

 

A fire advisory is in effect for the Lac La Biche Forest Area section of the Forest Protection Area due to dry conditions and a lack of precipitation from the fall and winter months.

 

Under this advisory:

· New fire permits will not be issued for non-essential heavy fuel burning such as machine-piled brush piles and windrows.

· Permits will be issued on a case-by-case basis.

 

Prohibited:

· Any burning without a valid fire permit, other than a campfire, is prohibited.

Allowed:

· Safe wood campfires *

· Backyard fire pits

· Portable propane fire pits

· Gas or propane stoves and barbecues

· Catalytic or infrared-style heaters

 

*Safe wood campfires - should be within a metal, brick, or rock fire ring. They are required to:

a) be on rock, gravel, sand, or another non-combustible surface that extends at least one metre around the fire;

b) have a responsible person in attendance to keep fire under control at all times and extinguish before leaving;

c) have on hand enough water on site to extinguish the fire. Safe wood campfires on private lands include private land campgrounds and private land recreation areas; and

d) Municipalities, Parks and protected areas may have additional fire safety requirements.

 

Return to winter burn sites to ensure they are completely extinguished. These fires can smoulder underground and flare up into a wildfire when the conditions are right.

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(Hazard reduction burning in the Lac La Biche area)

DRY CONDITIONS 

 

There has been a lack of precipitation this winter which has created unusually dry conditions that have started earlier into our fire season than normal. In many open areas there is an accumulation of dry grasses which can easily ignite and will produce high fire behavior if conditions are right. 

 

Firefighters in the area work to eliminate some of these areas where excessive dry fuels are present by hazard reduction burning. This will take away fuels that would have been easily ignitable or created worsening fire behaviour if a wildfire started in the area. 

 

We can all do our part in preventing human caused wildfires by:

• being aware of any fire ban information in the area, check out albertafirebans.ca
• keeping your off-highway vehicle clear of any debris and stop often to cool down your machine
• being careful when grinding or welding in dry locations and always carry fire fighting equipment with you (fire extinguisher and hand tools)
• properly extinguishing your campfire by soaking it, stirring it and soaking it again
• making sure your farming equipment is in good working order in order to reduce sparks 

For more information on safe burning practices please click here.

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LAC LA BICHE WILDFIRE UPDATE 

 

The wildfire danger in the Lac La Biche Forest Area is MODERATE. When the fire danger is at moderate it will indicate that if a fire occurs it will be exhibit creeping or gentle surface fire behaviour. 

 

There are currently two active wildfires in the forest area and they are classified as being held at 0.10 ha. Since January 1 2024, there has been a total of eleven wildfires burning a total of 0.91 ha in the Lac La Biche Forest Area. 

 

To view active wildfires across the province on a map, visit the Alberta Wildfire Status page.

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NOW HIRING 

 

Are you interested in joining the Alberta Wildfire team for the upcoming season? We are now hiring for support positions and additional wildfire crew positions. Check out our website to learn more! 

https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-wildfire-recruitment

WILDFIRE INFORMATION 

Subscribe to your local Forest Area update or other Forest Area updates and they'll come directly to your email. You can visit our updates, enter your email address and click Instant then Subscribe. 

You can also download the AB Wildfire Status App, click the "i" at the bottom left for the most recent update. To be notified when new updates are live you can click the bell for notifications and scroll to the Lac La Biche Forest Area Update. 

Visit the Alberta Wildfire website at wildfire.alberta.ca for more information on the current wildfire situation.

Before heading out, please check albertafirebans.ca to determine whether there are any fire advisories, fire restrictions or fire bans in effect for your destination. 

For more information please contact: 

Colby Lachance

Area Information Coordinator 

780-404-9186

colby.lachance@gov.ab.ca

Related Information

Websites:

• Alberta Wildfire
• Alberta Fire Bans
• FireSmart in Alberta
• Alberta Emergency Alerts
• Air Quality Health Index
• Wildfire Smoke and Your Health
• 511 Road Reports

Social Media:

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